Merchiston Community Council

We have just had the launch of the Canal Strategy and associated with this has been the buy out of the development land between Edinburgh Quay and Gibson Terrace by CEC. Somewhere on that stretch of land the City Council plan to have a new Boroughmuir High School built. Quite where has not been decided, and there is still a hope by some that the school will still be redeveloped on site. The student development for Napier is the only thing actually happening currently - hopefully with the new 'park' connecting it, the south end of Gibson Terrace and the canal side.

The strategy is quite high level but identifies 'hubs' along the length with more residential slots for canal boats with services having to be supplied particularly at Viewforth, Harrison Park and Wester Hailes, and the defining of a water sports hub at Meggetland and three further hubs at Wester Hailes etc. Worth a look.

Meanwhile a group of local people, from Fountainbridge and Tollcross, are trying to have some influence over what exactly happens with the rest of the land.

The next meeting in Tollcross Community Centre on Saturday 18th February 10:30 - 2:00 will give you an opportunity to see what is proposed and to give your views on what and how this area can be developed for the benefit for the community. Now that the Council owns the land you have a little more scope to have your views heard. Drop in, walk the site, stay for workshops - the choice is yours.

The details of the work are to replace the timber edging along the full length of the job and reinstate a 300mm HRA panel in the footway with a few additional wider re-instatements also being completed.

Polwarth Terrace / Polwarth Grove - Neighbourhood Improvement Project [NIP]
The proposed NIPS project for the north side of the pavement between Polwarth Church and the corner of Polwarth Grove has been diminished to a few spot repairs and should be carried out in February - weather permitting.

Launch of Autism Alert Card
Lothian and border Police is to launch a new autism awareness initiative to help address the unique challenges faced by people with autism who are victims of crime and accidents. The Autism Alert card will help ensure those
with the condition are quickly identified by police and emergency services and is endorsed by Lothian and Borders Police and The National Autistic Society (NAS) Scotland and Autism Initiatives Scotland.

The leading autism charities are heralding the card a ‘breakthrough’, and encouraging all young people and adults with autism to apply.

The card is to be rolled out in the region from January 23rd 2012. An estimated 50,000 Scots have autism, with 10,000 thought to live in the Lothian and Borders region.

Featuring the Lothian and Borders Police logo, the card will include details of a personal contact who can lead emergency services through the best ways to support the individual with autism in what can be a highly pressurised experience.

Autism is known as the ‘invisible disability’, because those with the condition can appear to be outwardly functioning well, while often experiencing severe challenges in communication and social situations. Being a victim of a crime or accident can be a stressful experience for anyone. But for someone with autism it can be particularly disorientating and frightening.

People with the condition often have difficulty understanding facial expressions, can be very literal in their understanding of questions and easily misinterpret others’ intentions. In an environment of serious crime or medical emergency these types of misunderstandings can have serious consequences.

The public consultation will take place at
      St Brides Centre
      10 Orwell Terrace
      Edinburgh         EH11 2DZ
Tel:   0131-346-1405
Local buses:     2, 3, 4, 25, 33, 44 to Dalry Road

The City of Edinburgh Council recently published its Next Generation Library Strategy, which proposes developments to the library service and different opening times for most libraries. The Council is now performing an extensive consultation on this strategy.

Please look at our Consultations page under Issues for fuller information. Remember it is up to you what the Council provides and do keep us in the loop with your views.

CAN YOU HELP OTHERS THIS WINTER? BECOME A VOLUNTEER SNOW WARDEN
Obviously we all look after our own pavements paths and those of our more vulnerable neighbours anyway. ................. Don't we?
However once you have done that perhaps you have time and energy left and would like to help others.

Edinburgh City Council are seeking volunteer Snow Wardens to help with clearing snow and ice in their neighbourhoods.

They will provide the necessary tools and training. If you are interested or want more information, please call 0131 529 3687 or email: winter.maintenance@edinburgh.gov.uk

At the next meeting of GDCC on Monday, 6th February, 7pm in St. Martin's Church, 232 Dalry Rd.

We bring this to your attention as both or these items may be of interest to you.

From December, garden waste moves to a four-weekly collection for December, January and February.

To find out when your garden waste will be collected, enter your postcode at www.greenboxday.co.uk, e-mail waste@edinburgh.gov.uk or phone 0131 529 3030.